The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has submitted its plan to install a foreign object debris detection system (Xsight Systems’ FODetect) at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International Airports in order to banish birds from airport runways.

According to the article, the cost would be recovered by charging airlines between $17 and $35 per flight, although the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAA) have some concerns over the finance plan.

Questions on the project’s rate of return were also raised, as the CAA said that at the proposed per flight charge, the investor would recoup its money in six and a half years, a time it deemed too short.

The CAA have also requested further information regarding the ability of the FODetect system to operate in unfavourable weather.

The aviation watchdog also demanded that the ACV elaborate on the FODetect system’s capacity to operate in unfavorable weather conditions and at different hours of the day, its area of operation, and its general feasibility whether integrated or expanded in the future.

Effectively understanding and managing the effects of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) as well as the Aerodrome and its surrounding habitat is critical to aviation safety. Through the FOD and Habitat Management Conference, industry leading experts will discuss the risks, controls, Safety Management Systems, procedures and technologies that the industry adopts to keep its passengers safe.

We don’t need to be reminded of the real life risks that these pose, high profile incidents such as Concord or US 1589 (Hudson River) are prime examples of what the industry face every day.

Details of the sale can be found below in the press release. I would take some of it with a pinch of salt, the marketing department has clearly had quite a bit of influence over the press release.

“iFerret is indeed the future of airfield safety and security!”

I’m not sure one sale makes any product “the future” of any product category.

Singapore Exchange Mainboard listed Stratech Systems Limited (“Stratech”) is pleased to announce that its iFerret™ intelligent Airfield/Runway Surveillance and Foreign Object & Debris (FOD) Detection System has won in a tender for an Automated FOD Detection System at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

This was achieved in cooperation with Dah Chong Hong – Dragonair Airport GSE Service Ltd. (DAS), who was awarded two contracts with a total value of around HK$280 million (approximately US$36.88 million) by the Airport Authority of Hong Kong (AAHK) for (1) the Design, Supply and Installation of an Automated FOD Detection System (Electro-optical System); and (2) the Maintenance of the Automated FOD Detection System (Electro-optical System) for a period of 60 months, plus an option for a further 24 months. DAS is a joint venture between Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Ltd. and Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd.

Stratech Executive Chairman, Dr. David K.M. Chew, commented, “We are honoured that our state-of-the-art iFerret™ has been selected to be installed at Hong Kong International Airport, one of the prominent international airport hubs and home to one of the finest airlines in the world. In this tender, we have again clearly won over the other systems. iFerret™ is indeed the future of airfield safety and security!”

Rheinmetall’s DEB-RA foreign object detection system is now eligible for procurement under the US Federal Aviation Authority’s Airport Improvement Programme.

Rheinmetall’s state-of-the-art DEB-RA employs millimetre wave radar in combination with high-resolution electro-optical sensors in order to detect dangerous foreign objects on the runway in real time. This reduces the risk posed by these objects – and with a very low error rate.

140 passengers of a Delhi-bound SpiceJet flight from Surat had a narrow escape on Thursday evening when the aircraft hit a stray buffalo on the runway, as it was about to take-off.

“All SpiceJet flights from Surat to be indefinitely suspended after one of our aircraft hit a large stray animal on take-off toll today. Suspension will be effective as soon as possible,” Mr Kumar said.

The Global FOD Prevention Conference is due to take place on 2nd December 2014 at the Reagan National Airport, Washington DC., USA. It’s a 1-day conference and there is limited seating. Visit the conference website to sign-up.

Varec Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leidos, will serve as the prime contractor and Xsight Systems, Inc. will be the original equipment manufacturer provider of the FODetect ® Solution. Varec, together with Xsight Systems, will provide installation design assistance, software and implementation services for installation, configuration, interface development, reporting and training.

Even with mature FOD detection products on the market, it’s still good to see that research is still going on in the field of FOD detection. I recently came across this paper by Hassan Aftab and Raja Shoaib M. Minhas of the National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan. The paper describes a system based on visual images (as opposed to radar etc.)

Here’s the conclusion of the research:

Using the discussed methodology and algorithm, satisfactory results are obtained. Different items of different size, shape and colour are used as FODs in experiments where the minimum detected FOD size is 0.6 × 0.6 inch. Contrast of the object w.r.t. background, size, shape, height of object and weather conditions can affect the detection rate. It can be further improved by employing high resolution images and fast processing systems.

The Port of Seattle (POS) requests proposals from qualified suppliers and firms to provide a “continuous” foreign object debris (FOD) detection system for Runway 16C at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The proposed system must meet specifications established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-24, Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection Equipment, or most recent version The system must also meet requirements of the Port of Seattle for the detection of FOD and wildlife on the runway. The system must be scalable, supporting future expansion to the adjacent Runways 16L/34R and 16R/34L.

Request For Proposals The Port of Seattle will accept written sealed proposals until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2014, on the following: RFP 14-11 Foreign Object Detection System Information and proposal forms can be obtained from the Port of Seattle PRMS website. Should you need help accessing the website, please contact Liz Fulton ph. 206.787.3511 or e-mail fulton.l@portseattle.org. Small Business Enterprises are encouraged to participate. Dated at Seattle, Washington this 9th day of April 2014.